Holly Willoughby targeted by kidnap, rape and murder plot

A safety guard plotted to abduct, rape and homicide TV persona Holly Willoughby to fulfil his “final fantasy”, a court docket heard.

Gavin Plumb, 37, is alleged to have assembled a software equipment for “extremely sexualised” violence towards the previous This Morning presenter between 2021 and 2023.

Mr Plumb, from Harlow, Essex, is on trial at Chelmsford Crown Courtroom and denies soliciting homicide, inciting kidnap and inciting rape.

“It was not simply the ramblings of a fantasist; the defendant had rigorously deliberate what he would do,” prosecutor Alison Morgan KC mentioned.

Mr Plumb was alleged to have developed an “obsession” with Ms Willoughby over quite a lot of years.

He had a “actual intention” to kidnap the broadcaster from her residence, “take her to a location the place she can be raped repeatedly” after which homicide her, Ms Morgan mentioned.

She added Mr Plumb was arrested after he revealed his plot to an undercover police officer from the US, who he had been speaking to on-line.

Opening the prosecution’s case, Ms Morgan mentioned Mr Plumb had initially spoken with a person identified solely as Marc about his plan in 2021.

She alleged the defendant advised him: “I’ll be residing out my final fantasy.”

He then added: “I am now on the level that fantasy is not sufficient anymore. I would like the true factor.”

Mr Plumb allegedly bought 400 “heavy obligation” metallic cable ties on-line.

The jury was performed a voice be aware Mr Plumb despatched to Marc in March 2023, outlining his plan to “hit it” at evening so there can be much less visitors.

“Chloroform each of them [Ms Willoughby and her husband] that means then they’ll each be simply restrained.

“We’re then gonna drive her to make a video saying she include us below her personal free will… and she or he’s absolutely consenting to all the things we do to her – in order that covers us.”

Ms Morgan additionally revealed Mr Plumb had made earlier failed kidnap makes an attempt between 2006 and 2008.

She mentioned the defendant had tied a 16-year-old woman’s arms with rope and tape and had tried to drive two totally different ladies off a practice with him with the specter of a gun.

“This defendant knew what it might take to terrify and overpower a lady,” Ms Morgan added.

The jury was advised that in October 2023 Mr Plumb, engaged in a web-based dialogue with an individual he believed to be referred to as David Nelson.

“In that dialogue, the defendant defined his plans to kidnap, rape and homicide the superstar Holly Willoughby”, Ms Morgan mentioned.

She mentioned Mr Plumb’s plans have been “graphic and have been clearly sexually motivated”.

“They have been actual to him, members of the jury, and have been based mostly on an obsession with Holly Willoughby that had developed over quite a lot of years,” mentioned the prosecutor.

The court docket was proven a video Mr Plumb despatched to the undercover officer when he requested if he was “critical” in regards to the plan.

It confirmed a “equipment of sexualised paraphernalia” laid out on a mattress, together with hand and ankle shackles, a rope and a ball gag.

Outlining how Plumb got here to be arrested, Ms Morgan mentioned: “What the defendant didn’t know then, was that the individual that he was speaking with on-line was an undercover police officer based mostly within the USA and never, the truth is, a like-minded abductor.

“The defendant’s planning of the offences was then interrupted and he was arrested by the police,” she added.

Ms Morgan mentioned throughout his arrest, Mr Plumb advised officers: “I’m not going to lie, [Holly Willoughby] is a fantasy of mine”.

She added {that a} folder on his cellphone entitled Holly had 10,322 pictures of Ms Willoughby inside it – lots of which have been “deep faux” pornographic pictures.

“If carried out, [this] would have concerned catastrophic violence towards [Ms Willoughby],” Ms Morgan mentioned.

“He spent many hours planning an assault on her that will contain violence, rape and finally homicide.”

The court docket was advised Ms Willoughby had waived her proper to anonymity in the course of the trial and wouldn’t be referred to as as a witness.

Mr Plumb wore a gray sweater and sat within the dock as proceedings opened.

The trial, anticipated to final two weeks, continues.